Eurocrats in Brussels are taking the Government to court to lift current restrictions that stop some foreigners claiming child benefits.

The brazen demand comes just days after David Cameron pledged to cut handouts to immigrants.

But if Britain loses the case, it could be forced to change the law and give more cash to immigrants.

Tory MP Nigel Mills said: “The EU should accept our rules are the will of the British people and Parliament. It just shows how big a battle we’ve got to anything close to a sensible position.”

Under current rules, EU immigrants can claim child benefit of at least £89 a month, even if their children live abroad.

More than 24,000 families take advantage, at a cost of £30million a year.

Before they get the cash, they must pass the “right to reside” test.

“If Britain loses the case, it could be forced to change the law and give more cash to immigrants.”

The European Commission says this discriminates against immigrants as it is easier for Brits to claim.

The case will be heard at the European Court of Justice after court papers were lodged in June, it emerged yesterday.

Professor Steve Peers, an expert in EU law at Essex University, said: “This is a very important case regarding whether the UK can deny benefits to other EU citizens and could potentially have a big impact on Mr Cameron’s plans.”

Meanwhile, Department of Education figures suggest that taxpayers spend over £244m a year on teaching English to immigrant children – up £40m on 2011.

And research by health thinktank the Nuffield Trust found around half-a-million foreigners join GP waiting lists every year.